Leather graining, boarding, and softening machine



March 4, 1930.

J. E. SPENCER LEATHER GRAINING, BOARDING, AND SOFTENING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l Z73l/a7230 March 4, 1930. J. E. SPENCER 1,749,267

LEATHER GRAINING, BOARDING; AND SOFTENING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4, 1930. J SPENCER 1,749,267

LEATHER GRAINING, BOARDING, AND SOFTENING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 4, 1930. J. E. SPENCER 1,749,267

LEATHER GRAINING, BOARDING, AND SOFTENING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I l l'carr'ier' raised v releasing the treadle the carrier, rises. This l betweenthe carriers.

I Patentecl Mar. 4,1930

' j PATENT O F worm SPENCE or SALEM; MASSACHUSETTS L A ER GRAIN O RD S NDSOFTEN NG "MACHINE j "mean fired Septem er This; inventidn "relates to 5 machines for graining. boarding and softening leather'of that type disclosed'in my Patent No; 1,330 962 granted Eebriiai y 17 19.20. f In ithi'slpate'nt '5 theupper carrier isf'brought dovvntovvard thelovver-carrier forengagenient of a skin;

. therfebetween by a treadle, the Weight offhe Operator less the"eifetive vveightof a cou'h- 1 t'erbalance which fnc'rm'ally holds the upper being. effectivefer, that pur- ,ifln the 'rn V v k i povver mechanismrille action is employed.

In order, however, reaecemmouatevaryin thicknesses 'of leather; asivvell to prevent seripufs'injury tothe operator should his hand.

become,caught betvveen'the carriers, the up per carrier is permitted-to come down by its 'oivn Weight, -may-be more or less counterbalanced by a counterbalance Weight. I order machete-th powerjmechanism in -tliis iiianner' a speeial clutch has been devisedgso that by depre'ssi lga ,treadle' the upper carrier descends ,and ther'e remains as long as the treadle is helddepressed; and on that for raising the upper carrier and pe finitting it to descend. p 1 H 'A further feature-relatesto means for ad justingthe bearingIOf the carrier on the aindreceniplete' description of an emboar;

mentiofrthe inventi'en illustrated in the ac temps, ving drawings'in Which f 1 is "ap'erspective of the machine.

1 refuel rattle te ate the fineunting" and thea'ctu'tion fofthe antifriction plate dvantage'ous details I :6, 1923. Serial No. 661,1 8.

. p V "berof the clutch." chine o'f the present invention Figure 8 is a similar View of the driven member. v

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional details through theclutch elements showing them in clutched and unclutched posit-ions, respectivelvf i Referring to these drawings, the machine com-prises upper and lower endless belt carriers 1 and 2,'thel0iver carrier being preferably fixed in end frame lIlGHlbGI'S 3, \vhile the upper member'is'rockable about the axis of the drive shaft 4 in the same manneras in the patent above mentioned. 7 The ldwer carrier'for the endless surface member or belt has a rear roller 5 over Which'the endless belt 6 passes and, a forward roller 7. This forward roller isjournaled in universally mount- ,ed bearings 8 each carried by ayoke fi. This yoke has" a stejmrportion' 10Which is longitudinally adjustable in afperforation 11= in thecorre'sponding end fr'ame'and it may be adjusted longitudinally in order to .properlv tension th'ebelt or surface member 6 by means of abolt 11 threaded through a transverse 5 Web l2 the end frameand bearing against the inner {rear-end of, the StQm; 'The upper carrier or bolster member has an endless belt 15 supported over av forward roller 16 mounted in" universally turnable bearings 17 ad justablelongitudinally of end frames 18 in thesame manner as the bearing 8. The rear bamne d portien of its/Weight; A pair of linewith the frame members 18 to receive the counterbalance weights.

In orderthat the upper carrier may adapt itself automatically to varying thicknesses of leather and also so that serious injury may not result in case the operators arms orhands should accidentally becorne caught between the carriers, provision is made which the'uppe'r carrier is raised hypermfrom its operative position, but is permitted to descend by the action of its uncounterbalanced; weight only, the power mechanism merely retracting and' permitting tl'ie'c-arrier to follow. The construction which this is accomplished is 'asfollows. r

Referring more particularly to Figuresl and. 2, at 21 and 22 are showntwo alined shafts journaled at'their adjacent ends in a bearing 23 fixed in a cross frame member 24 bers 3. The shaft 21 has fixed thereto apinion 26 which meshes'wi'th a gear 27 rotatable of the machine and at their outer ends-in bearings 25 carriedby the endframeinemon a shaft 28 and arranged to be clutched thereto when desired by a clutch,rwhiclrwill later be described. The shaft 28 has'fixed thereto immediately within. the end frames 3 the eccentrics 29, each having aneecentric strap 30 to which is fixed the lower end of a rod '31. The upper end of. ,each r.odis threaded and passesloosely through an eyebolt 32 swiveled on its shank 33 to one of theupper end frames 18 forwardly of the shaft'4. -Each rod 31 has threaded thereon an abutment.

nut 34 on which the collar. 32 .ma y rest, this nut being fixed in adjusted position by means;

of a lock nut 35. When the eccentric strap is moved upwardly and the rod Ell -correspondingly moved, the abutment nut 34 engaging the lower .face'of the collar 321 acts to push the upper. carrier. away from the lower carrier. This action takes placeduring one-half the revolution of-the shaft 28.

During the other half of the revolution-of this shaft,.the rods 31 are lowered,.tlius permitting each collar 32m follow, in contact wi-th'the nut 34 asthe corresponding rod'i-ll descends There isjalso positionedbetweenihe carriers,as in the patent above mentioned, an anti-frict on plate 40 which serves to sepaira'te the ingoing and outgoing portionsof the skin during the operation of the machine'. When the upper carrier israised, it is desirablethat this plate be raised also in order to permit the ready insertion of work.

Means are-provided in this invention for,

accomplishing this action by the power; means -which acts to raise the uppercarrierand to permit it"to lower? For thispurposethe plate 40 has fixed thereto adjacent each end a.yoke 41, each of which, as shown more par- 3' .ticularlygin Figure 3, is threaded at its lower central portion 'for ,the adjustable reception therethrough of a push rod held in adjusted position by means of'a check nut 42. This rod 43slides through a guide comprising an eyebolt 43. 'swiveled to the frame 3 and when pushed upwardly acts I l to raise the plate. A collar 43 on the upper end of this rod furnishes a stop to limit the I j v The lower end of each rod v43 is pivoted at 44 tothe forward end of a lever 45 which has its rear endifulcru'med; on a pin 46 adjacent the rear edge of each end frame 3. Intermediate its ends each arm 45 is-provided with the projecting surface portion 47which at certain 'timesricles :on'a roller '48 ournaled on a pin '49 projecting from the upper end of one of the eccentricstrapsBO, Withthisconstruce vtion 'as theeccentric rotates, the lever 45.19; 1 swung upwardly by power whenv contacted bythe roller 48 and then allowed to swing downwardly, its upward swinging motion ibeing timedwith' the upward motion of the rod 31 so that when the upper carrier "is; raised, the plate 40;i s also raised, butto a less extent, 1 and when thej'upper carrieriis permitted to descend, the plate 40 is also permittedft descend untilit rests upon the-work supported onthe lower carrier. ,Theipajrts are so 'proportionedthat the rods 43 descend to an extent suflicientto permit the; plate "40 to rest on the work regardless of varying thicknesses thereof sliding through the perforations of the eyebolt asfar aspermitted by the collar43 In order 1 I to properly stiffen this plate 40, it is preferable to apply to its forward edge a stiffening bead 50. 7 As this bead adds, considerable weight to this portion of the plateit is likely to causethe eyebolt to -cramp on the rods 43,

thus preventing their free relative movement the weight of the workialso causing the same I I tendency. For this reasonthefrear edge of j .ff

the plate 40'may have means for counterbalancing-tihe h fQ the. beadand the. Wk Such es mating. a

pair or springs 52, oneadjacenteachend adjust'the tension of the spring 5.2. l

- When the. upper carrieris down in operas f tiveposition the lower stretch of itsbelt i'sf -fl in confronting relation @to the upperstretch 61 of the lower carrier beltand in order that they may be held in proper relation tothe' .work, transversely positionedbars B2 a-nd 63 maybe employed, these bars being adjustable.

substantially perpendicular to thesestretches of the upper and lower belts and: actingto determine their distance apartalfdesired also 7 these bars, which are arranged. at intervals downwardmovernent of .the 'push rod by its V impingement on the eyebolt 43.

@65' thefmaichin'e is, employed I f" 2 throughout the length of each stretch may be 1 bridged'more. o'r'less by pressure. plates such V as64'. "For thel purpose of adjusting these.

bars'asabove 'mentioned,'each bar may have 5 its end; face formed tapered, asshown'for ex I ample in Figure 4 for the bar 62,at 70,*and "cooperating therewith is an endwise adjust able wedge member 71. This wedge member hasT'anupstanding flange72 throughwhiclr 1 passes an adjusting" bolt 73 threaded intO the" carrier frame and by" turning of which I the. lengthwise position ofthecorresponding wedge block may be adjusted." The bars" 62 and 63, may be 'heldto their respective frames 2 by-means of bolts74r (see Figure; 1) which may be slacked up or tightened in accordance with'theiadjustmentwhich it is d'esired to makeby movement of the wedge blocks.

Brovision is alsomade by Which the cal- ,rierbelts are driven by power'byaa mechanism entirely separate from the power mechanism for raisingand lowering the upper carrier.

and the anti'friction' plateff'lhis independ- V ent actuation i'sTdesirable since. if both were 125 driven-fromithe same mechanism shouldthe" travelofthe belts stopywith the skin in position therebetwe'en, the power mechanism forseparatingthe carriers would also fail, I and'fi't would be difiicult tonremovethe skin Y 80 since'it would be necessary to-raisethe upper carrierbyhandagainstitsunbalancedweight; Itf is' also'desirable to insert the skin while the beltsnare running, "the engagement of the running belts with the. skin" serving to posif tion5it within the machine properlyforthe subsequent operation after. the carriers have been/brought together. For. this reason,

' j therefore, the shaft. 22 has been provided which carriesoutward lyoftheend framed ,throiigh whichiit passes tight'jandloosedriving ulleys and 81 overwhich a drive belt" from-a ny'suitab'le source of power may en- I gage, the position ofthis belt on the pulleys i being controlled by a belt shipper comprlsing '43 a shipper yoke82 carried at the, upper. end I 'ot'a lever 83' pivote'd f at 84-to' a bracket 85 extending outwardly from the endf-rame To. the. lower end 1 of this lever is pivoted "a-;linl'86 pivotally, connected to an arm '87 56 fixed to a'rock shaft88 which may be rocked by ahandle 89..adjacentthi's endof: the 1na+ chine: "The shaft 221% fixed thereto a driv inggearQQwith which meshes a'gear. 91fixed V to the realrdriving sl11af't92of the lower car: i riierfthis shaft carrylng the-rear roller for the belt as in the machineofthe above men} v tioned patent. Thisgear 91 meshes with an fidler93 which-inturn meshes with a gear 941fixedtothe shaft 4; Shaft 21 c'arriessimi- 1 60' lar tight 'a'ndloose, pulleys-97 and 98 and a V belt shipper mechanism similar to that .de-

1 scribedin connectionwith the pulleys 80 ahd 81 and controlled by: a handle 99 similar toxthehandlelt) but adja ent the other end of The clutch above mentioned for controlling the-motionof'the. eccentrics 29 on rotation of the shaft "28 as shown is of a type which permits one halfv a revolution of the shaft 28ateacl1 actuation, it being so designed that when pressure is applied to a treadle, here indicated at 100, the upper bolster or carrier being in raised position, one half a rotation is imparted to the shaft 28 and the upper carrier and friction plate are allowed to descend into working position. On removing the foot from the treadle 100'the shaft 28 again coupled for rotation'for the other half of itsrevolution, whereupon the upper carrier and the antifriction plate are raised to their inoperative positions. Details of the clutchcapable of this operation are shown inFigures'5 to 10.

. Referringto these figures it will be noted that the gear 27,.which is mounted for rotat-ion relative to the shaft 28, is recessed in one end face as at 105. 'Within this recessed portion are setfixed clutch elements comprisng a series of pins 106,, each, as shown, havmg a flattened face 107 "for engagement with a movable clutch element in the, driven member. This movable clutch element comprises a pin 108 slidable y axially in a socket recess 109 in a collar 110 keyed to the shaft 28. The, recess I109'is provided with aslot 111 extending outwardly through the adjacent peripheral portion of the collar and within this slot rides a boss 112 projecting laterally from the'pin 108. I This boss has fixed therein the inner end of a journal pin 113 on which is journaled a roller 114. It is evident that when the-pin 108 is projected to extend within the path of motion of the pins 106 the driven membercomprising the collar 110 is coupled for rotation with the driving member comprising the gear 27,,and that when the pm 108 is retracted Within its socket out of the path of motion of the pin 106, the dr ven member is disconnected from the-drivtype difliculty is-often experienced due to improper retraction of the v projecting pin so thatitdoes notentirelyclear the fixed clutch elements and is thus causedto impinge thereon,.causing.:chipping of certain of the parts as wel'lasanoisy operation and uncertainty in] operation.v To overcome this ditliculty n1eanshave been provided in this machine by which whenthe clutch is in unclutched relation the-pressure exerted by the spring on themovable clutch element. is entirely removed. 1 For th s purpose a pin 115 is positioned withinithe recess 109 so as to bear against the rear endof the pin 108, this pin .115 being acted upon by a spring 116 seated in recess and as shown reacting against the. R38 wall of therecess and the forward I wall of a recess 117 within the pin this latter recess being provided to permit the use of a relatively long spring and p1n115 Without requiring an excessive length of the col- -lar-110. This pin 115 is also provided with a boss 118 riding in'the slot 111, this boss carryingjournaled on a pin 119 fixed thereto a roller 120.' It will be noted thatthis roller 120 is of less length than the-roller 114,

this being for a purpose which will later ap pear. I

Referring more particularly to Figures 5 and 6; a member for controlling the proj ection and retraction of the pins 108 and 115 is show-11. This member comprises an upper arcuate cam portion anda lower similar portion 126 which are fiXed together in spaced relation by means of a pair of studs 127 extending therethrough adjacent oppositexendsthese studs being slidable through fixedbearing bosses 128 and 129 which are shorter than the space 'betweenthe sections 125 and 126 sozas'to permit thesesections to move upwardly and downwardly-a limited amount: Each of the upper and lower portions 125 and 126 carry a-pair of inclined cam faces 130 and 181,:the upper cam face 130 beingso p'ositionedthatwhen the control member is in depressed position, the roller 120, as the collar 110 rotates, 'is engaged v thereby andretracted against the tension of the "spring'116 out of contact with the rear end ofthe'pin108. AS80011 as this has been moved outof contact, however, the roller 114 is engaged by the "cam face 131 so that the pin 108'is retracted from clutching engagement with its cooperating fixed pin of the driving element, whereupon the collar 110 is disconnected from the'drivingmember and-the rotation of the shaftceases. "If now 7 the control member be raised upwardly to its opposite limit of motion, the cam elements 130 and 131 are raised,' the upper cam ele ment 130 first releasingthe roller 120 since this is shorter'than the roller 114and then the roller 114 being released from the upper element 131.v The releasing of the roller'120 permits the spring-116 to project the'p in 115 against therear end of the pin 1108 anda subsequent release of the roller 114 permits the spring 116 acting throughthepin 115 to'project the pin '108 into clutching engagement with one of the fixed pins 1060f the driving member whereupon the shaft 28 is coupled for" rotation. This raising of the control meme ber, howeverybrings the cam inclines 130 and I 131 on the'lower portion 126'into such posiv tions that when the shaft 28substantially ber. pressedthe pi'n'115 and then the pin108 completes one half a revolution the pin 115 and then the pin 108 havebeenretractedin the same manner that they were retracted by the a, cam faces ofthe upper portion, thus disconnecting the driven from the'drive mem- If the. control member be then deare released, permitting the spring 116 to force thef pin 108 into clutchingfposition to couple the drive and driven member for the; next half of the rotation, whereupon they are disconnected againby the action ofithe cam faces on the upper portion 125 of the control member.

126 having a depending perforated car 135 made fast to thecross frame member24'of the machine, as by bolts passing through. slotted'openings 142 therein. ,As shownalso:

This control member is moved from one to the other of its positions by means of the treadle 100, thelower portion this yoke frame has a perforated ear'143 projecti'ng therefrom to whichthe upper end of the spring 137- 'may be attached.

In order to avoid overrunning of the shaft 28 after ithasbeen unclutched from the gear 27 it desirable to apply some resistance to i the turning of the shaft This is preferably" accomplished'by means of a brake comprise:

ing a brake drum indicated at which is fixed to the'shaft 28 and a over which bears drawn downwardly against the drum by means of a bolt and thumb nut 152 mount-r ed on the frame of themachine. The friction produced by this device is sulficientto stop the shaft 28 when the clutch is disconnected, but is of such a small amount as to impart no appreciable resistance or consumption of excess power in the operation ofthemachine'. The clutch mechanism is so" arranged that when the treadleis in elevated position the" pp carrier c antifrictionplate are; I

also elevated and when pressure is applied to the treadle the antifriction plate and the upper carrier are both brou htdown into: operativeposition and are so held as long as The subject matter' 'ofthe clutch mocha-t nism'is describedand claimed in my, applicaa 3 -tion for Patent Serial "No; 27,105 for.

clutches filed July 1,1924,'as a division from" the present application. V a

' Having thus described an embodiment of this" invention it shouldbe evident to thosev skilled in the art that many' changes and. j

modifications may be madegtherein without departing from its spirit or scope asdefined,

by the appended claims.

rIclaimr 1. A machine of the class described comprising a pairofendless belt carriers having the treadle is helddepressed. As soon as the v treadle is allowed to rise, the shaft 28' rotates a further half revolution and elevates the upper carrier and the plate 40;

as a friction element 151 having a resilient-fob 1 1 f wardly' projecting arm 1'53 which'mayfbe.

stretches in I confronting, relation; i a a 1 plate positioned between said stretches, and power the insertion of work and-forpermitting-said stretchesland plate to approach each other to: engage the work;

prising apair of endless [belt carriers having stretches in confronting relation, a plate positioned between said stretches, means for positively separatingsaid stretches and spacing said plate therefrom to'permit' the insertion of work and for permitting said stretches carriers I 1 and plate to approach each other to engage the work, and power means for driv ng-said ;3. A machine of the class described, comprisinga'pair o'f endless belt carriers having stretches in confronting relation, a plate ipositioned betweensaid stretches, power means for positively separating said stretches and spacing said plates therefrom to permit the insertion of work ,and for permitting said stretches and: plateto approach each other to engage the work, and power means for a I a carriers, connections from one of said shafts driving said carriers. I

use

4. A machine of the class described,'comprising a pair of endless belt carriers having stretches in confronting relatiom'one of said carriers comprising a system of rolls in fixed position, the other said carrier comprising;

i a'system of rolls rockable about the axis of T one of the rolls, and power means for rock ing said rockable system away from the fixed systemand for permitting the rockable system to' rock toward the fixed system under gravity. i

5; A' machine of the class described, com

prising a pair of movable surface members arranged in confronting relation, a vnormally stationary member between said movable sur- I face members, meansfor controlling the spaci ing of said members, power mechanism for 514.5

actuating said means, and other power mech-' anism for moving said movable surface memhers. I

3 6.", A machine o'f the class describechcomprising a pair of superposed movable surface means for movingsaid surface members.

' 7. Amachineof the class described, comprising a pair of superposed movable surface members, a normally stationary member between'said movable surface members, power means controllable to raise the upper movable surface member from said normally stationr ary 'member and said normally stationary V I member from saidlower movable member to permit the insertion of work and to'permit 7 said normally-stationary member and said upper movable member to descend by gravity to, engage the .work.

8; Avmachine of the class described comprising upper. and lower endless surface carriers, the upper of said 7 carriers being ar ranged to tilt toward and from the lower cara i 1 rier, a pair of shafts arranged below said .2; A? machine of the class described, comcarriers, connections from one of said shafts for driving said carr1ers,-a third shaft, connections from the other of said pair of shafts to said third shaft including a half revolution clutch, mechanismactuated from said third shaft for tilting said upper carrier away for driving said carriers, 3* third 'shafh'connections from the other of said pair of shafts to said third shaft including a half revolution clutch, mechanism actuated from said third shaft for tilting said upper carrier away from said lower carrier and raising said plate from said'lower carrier during one half a revolution of said third shaft and for permitting said plate to lower and said upper carrier to tilt toward saidlowencarrier during the other. half ofthe revolutiontof said third shaft, and separate powermechanisms oforjidriving said pair of shafts.

lOQIn a machine of the class described, a pair of superposed endless belt carriers, the upperof said carriers being pivoted to rock downwardly towarfdsaid lower carrier and -lower carrier,- eccentrics on said shaft,straps for said eccentrics, rods fixed to said straps and slidably engageable with" saidupper carrier at onesideof its pivot, anabutment on each rod beneath said carrierfor impinging thereon and raising saidcarrieras said rods raise, and mean's'for rotating said shaft by increments of one half a revolution to maintain said. upper carrier in either its raised or lowered position when said shaft is stopped.

11. In a machineof the class described, a pair of superposed endless belt carriers, the upper .of said carriers beingipivoted :to rock downwardly toward said lower carrier and upwardly therefrom, a plate between said carriers, a sh aft below said lower carrier, eccentricsfo'n said shaft, straps-for'said eccentries, rods fixed to said straps and slidably engagingsaid upper carrier at one side of its pivot, an abutment on each rod beneath said carrier for impinging thereon'and raising saidcarrier as said rods raise, levers each having its free end operatively connected to said plate and engaged interi'nediately by one of said eccentrics to raise said plate from said lower carrier when said upper carrier 1S ra1sed but toa less extent, and to permit said plate to move downwardly toward said lower carrier as sa1d'upper carrier rocks downwardly, and means for rotating said shaft by increments of one-half a revolution to maintain said upper carrier and plate in either ra1sed or lowered position when said shaft is stopped. I

12. .In a machine of the class described, a

bolster comprising a pair of spaced parallel. rollers, an endless :belt passing over said roller, a support for one stretch of said belt between said rollers comprising a bar positioned transversely vthereof, and means coinprising endwisemovable wedgesfor adjusting the weight of the work on the "forward portion ofsaid plate. Y

'18. In a machine offthe class described, a;

plate havinga-bead along oneiedge, a pair of rods for supporting said plate, a guide through which each rodslidesto raise and lower said plate, means for slidingfsaid rods,

and springs reacting between the edge of said 7 plate opposite to said bead and said sliding means to prevent cramping of sai'drods in said guide;

In testimony'whereo f Ihave aifixedmy Y i signature. 1 r j JOHN E, SPENCER.

ing the position ofsaidbar substantially perpendicular to said stretch.

13. In a machine of the class described, a

bolster comprising a frame,a pair of spaced I f parallel rollers journaled in said frame, "an

endless beltpassing over said rollers, a supportfor one stretch of said belt between said rollers comprising a bar positioned transi versely thereofand made fast to said frame, A said bar having its ends tapered, and a wedge f engaging each of said tapered ends andadjustably fixed to said frame, the adjustment of said wedges adjusting said bar substantially perpendicular to said stretch. I

14*. In a machine of theclass described, a- I pair of superposed endless beltcarriers, a

plate intermediate said carriers having a bead along one edge, and means actingat the pp e-for counterbalanein th weight of said bead. I a

' 15.'In a machine of the class described, a 7

plate havingia' beadalong one edge, yokes for supporting said plate, each'yoke having a a perforation therethrough, a rod through each perforation carrying a member engaging the bead. f

yoke to raise said plate as said rods are raised and to permit said plate tofall as said rods descend, raising'and lowering members to which the lowerlends of said rods are attached, and springs reacting between the edge of said plate opposite to 'saidbea'dand said members for counterbalancing said 1 16. In a-machine of the class described, a platehaving a bead along one edge, yokes for supporting said plate, arod adjustably fixed to each yoke for raising said plate .as said rods are raised and to permit said plate to fall as said rods descend, raising and; lowering members towhich the lower ends of said rods are attached, springs reacting between the edgeof said plate opposite to said bead and '13 said'members for counterbalanc'ing said bead, j' 

